The University of Toronto community gathered at the Varsity Centre on June 6th for the annual raising of the Pride and Trans flags to officially welcome the start of Pride Month, a month long celebration of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
KPE's Assistant Professor Simon Darnell, HR director Sharon Grandison, assistant director of physical activity, equity and client services, Luc Simard, assistant manager of co-curricular diversity and equity, Robin Waley, kinesiology student Rayan Faruque and other members of the Sport & Rec Diversity & Equity team flank U of T Vice-President of Human Resources and Equity, Kelly Hannah-Moffat and David Pereira from the Sexual and Gender Diversity Office
“The raising of the Pride and Trans flags, along with other campus events, promotes LGBTQ2S+ visibility, celebrates our differences and emphasizes our support and allyship with our queer and trans communities,” said Kelly Hannah-Moffat, vice-president of human resources & equity at U of T. “It is also an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of the LGBTQ2S+ communities to campus life.”
Inviting everyone to reflect on the diversity of the U of T community, Hanna-Moffat said faculty, librarians, staff and students from Canada and all over the world come to U of T to learn, work and live, and some may be from places that do not allow the freedom to embrace their identities.
“It is our responsibility to ensure our community is inclusive, representative, welcoming and supportive,” she said, extending her thanks to the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education for not only supporting this annual event in June, but embodying the principles of inclusivity and diversity throughout the year. She also commended U of T’s Sexual and Gender Diversity Office (SGDO), celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, for their contributions to the LGBTQ2S+ community.
The rainbow cupcakes didn't last very long
“Today’s act of raising the Pride and Trans flags is a strong signal of our Faculty’s and U of T’s continued support for the LGBTQ2S+ community,” said Sharon Grandison, director of HR at KPE.
“Not only does it signify the beginning of Pride Month, it also shows our dedication to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion at all levels – in research, education and our broad spectrum of co-curricular physical activity and sport programs, and student-driven initiatives,” added Simon Darnell, an assistant professor at KPE, who co-chaired KPE’s Task Force on Race and Indigeneity with Grandison.
In collaboration with SGDO, KPE has expanded training, programs and events to empower and include the LGBTQ2S+ community - from Athlete Ally, a Varsity Blues program committed to ending homophobia and transphobia in sport, to Trans Positive Swim, to the Sport & Rec Diversity & Equity Team, a student-led group that organizes inclusive initiatives and events throughout the year such as the Move with Pride physical activity workshop series.
All proceeds from the Pride themed Blues merchandise will go to the Equity Ideas fund.
Fourth year kinesiology student Rayan Faruque spoke on behalf of the Sport & Rec Diversity & Equity Team, announcing the inaugural sale of Pride themed Blues merchandise throughout the month of June to help raise money for the Equity Ideas fund.
“As a queer student at KPE, I want to acknowledge that, historically, members of the queer community have been excluded from participating openly and proudly in sport and physical activity,” said Faruque.
“But through various equity and diversity initiatives led by the Faculty, like the Queers on Ice skate night or the vogue dance workshop, I was finally able to find a place in sport and physical activity for my queerness,” he said.